Content of research

In recent years, cancer immunotherapy has made remarkable progress, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have been marketed as drugs. On the other hand, biomarkers to determine the immune status of subjects are needed to improve the clinical efficacy of cancer treatment and to provide safe and secure treatment with fewer side effects.
In this study, we discovered novel microRNAs that can regulate the immune responses or cancer cell proliferation. These microRNAs show promise as nucleic acid drugs that can be administered directly to the body to improve the immune status, or as drugs that can be added to immune cells processed or prepared from the body to regulate their functions.
It is also possible to determine the immune status of cancer patients by monitoring the level of microRNA in the serum, and it is expected to use this as a useful biomarker to evaluate the anti-tumor immune response to cancer immunotherapy and predict side effects caused by abnormal enhancement of the immune system, and to select treatment methods.

Potential for social implementation

• ・Regulators of dendritic cell function
• ・Novel therapeutic agents for cancer
• ・Companion diagnostic agents for evaluation and assessment of immune constitution

Appealing points to industry and local governments

The small molecule nucleic acid (microRNA) found in this study has been confirmed to regulate the immune response of T cells and the proliferation of cancer cells through the regulation of dendritic cell function. It is also very promising as a serum biomarker that can determine the immune constitution and tumor malignancy of each subject.